lateral attorney cover letter sample

Sample Lateral Application Materials

Junior Level Lateral Resumes Corporate

Mid to Senior Level Lateral Resumes Corporate Litigation

Cover Letters

Junior Level Lateral Cover Letters Litigation Post Judicial Clerkship

Mid to Senior Level Lateral Cover Letters Corporate Corporate Post Judicial Clerkship Litigation Litigation

Deal Lists Corporate Litigation Corporate & Litigation

Representative Matters Corporate & Litigation

A Compelling Lateral Attorney Cover Letter Example

Making a partner is considered to be a huge accomplishment among attorneys. Thus, many focus on building their career within one firm in hopes of reaching that coveted position someday. However, apart from “doing face time”, there is another way to partnership.

Legal firms will often recruit attorneys from other practices to become partners in theirs as they expand into new areas. Such ‘laterals’ are valued because they bring experience and talent with them. Of course, being poached is certainly flattering. But you can also market yourself as an excellent choice as a lateral hire. However, it doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get the job. You’ll have to impress the hiring committee. To start that process, be prepared with a great cover letter.

You can begin by checking out the tips below. Then, take a look at our sample lateral attorney cover letter.

Start With an Acknowledgment

In most cases, you are in the running for this position because somebody reached out to you. They either did so directly, through a common connection, or via a headhunter/ recruitment agency , In any case, it’s an honor to be considered for a partnership position. So it’s best to lead off your cover letter with a quick sentence or two of thanks. Personalize that thanks if you know who expressed interest in you. Remember, connections are everything. Here’s a quick example:

“I’d like to begin by thanking my former colleague Steve Shipman, as well as the Davis Law Group Partnership committee for reaching out to me. I’m honored to be considered for this position.”

Show You Operate a Strong Practice

A law partner often operates as a “law firm within a law firm”. Many partners have their client base, do their billing, and otherwise operate rather independently. They likely have a legal secretary, clerk, or paralegal working with them as well. Ideally, you are also familiar with the people and procedures at your local courthouse.

Put more succinctly, your letter should demonstrate that you are a more than a capable attorney . It should illustrate how you can begin your first day as a productive and profitable attorney who brings something of value to the firm.

Understand Why They Are Recruiting You

The standard advice is to only include the most relevant points in your cover letter, rather than rehash your entire resume. Here, the best approach is to identify why the law firm has reached out to you. Doing so may be as simple as having a frank discussion with your recruiter. You may also reach out to the person who referred you.

Once you’re sure, you can customize your cover letter. Pick two or three of the company’s most important needs. Then, use your cover letter to show how you will be able to meet those requirements.

Quantify The Points You Make

Now that you’ve lined up your ‘talking points’, work on making them a bit less generic. For example, “I have plenty of corporate law experience.” is true, but sounds pretty vague. On the other hand, “I have 5 years of experience in corporate litigation. The majority of that has been representing pharmaceutical companies and hospitals.” gives the reader some extra valuable context. 

Here are a few other detailed statements:

• I have taken more than 200 cases to trial.
• My experience includes 3 years of experience as a prosecuting attorney.
• In 2019, I negotiated a 1.5 million dollar settlement with a major railcar manufacturer.

Also, check cover letter examples for other legal professions to get an even better sense of how you should frame your accomplishments. 

Lateral Attorney Cover Letter Example in .docx Format

Here’s a sample letter from an attorney who has been directly recruited by an area law firm. Feel free to use it as a guide.

Download example (Word)

Lateral Attorney Cover Letter Sample – Text Format

Dear Therese Miller,

Thank you for reaching out to me regarding the position of junior partner at Miller and Pike. I’m honored that you thought of me when you decided to expand into the area of criminal defense law. I believe I would be an excellent fit for this position. Thus, I am eagerly submitting my application.

I’ve been in private practice as a criminal defense attorney for three years. Prior to that, I worked in the Minneapolis, Public Defenders office. I specialize in jury trials, and cases involving civil rights violations. In 2018, I successfully argued the dismissal of charges in The State V. Laramie case on the grounds that evidence was gathered illegally. Also, I have an 80% success rate at trial and have achieved positive results in more than 95% of the cases I have settled.

I currently work with a paralegal and legal secretary. Both are talented professionals who are committed to following me into any new position. Further, I have more than 75 clients on retainer. I also average more than 40 new client inquiries each month. 

If you are interested in bringing in an experienced criminal defense attorney with an established client base, I’d love to meet with you. Please expect me to reach out again late next week. Perhaps we can meet for dinner.

Stewart Ninja, ESQ.

Final Tip: Be Proactive

Don’t make the mistake of submitting your application packet, then waiting for a response. Instead, show some initiative by planning out your next steps and a future interview. Legal partners are expected to be assertive!

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Lateral Lawyer Cover Letter Example

A Lateral Lawyer is an experienced attorney working in an experienced law firm, and when they move to a new law firm, they often transfer their existing clients as well. The job description entails providing legal services and delivering a high standard of professional ethics and competence to their clients.

A well-written cover letter will create a good first impression on the recruiter. We have drafted a Lateral Lawyer Cover Letter Sample to help you get the desired job. To make matters much simpler, you can use our cover letter generator to draft the perfect cover letter.

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• Law Enforcement, Military & Security

A Lateral Lawyer provides legal advice and services to clients on various matters. Working in a law firm, these professionals tend to have a good grasp of all aspects of law and handle all cases from civil to criminal proceedings. They negotiate with clients, and parties, and provide advice on various matters including employment, property, business agreements, and intellectual property contracts.

What to Include in a Lateral Lawyer Cover Letter?

Roles and responsibilities.

• Interviewing clients, and determining their legal needs.
• Conducting independent research based on the case details.
• Analyzing facts and evidence.
• Providing legal advice.
• Representing clients in the Court of Law.
• Helping clients with all legal needs including paperwork filling, preparing contracts, getting affidavits, and negotiating settlements.
• Drafting legal documents, preparing pleadings, and reviewing documents .
• Presenting cases in court, and maintaining client’s rights and confidentiality.

Education & Skills

Lateral lawyer skills:.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• The ability to understand and interpret complex legal data and draw appropriate conclusions.
• The ability to communicate well and effectively.
• Knowledge of fostering relationships with clients, and other key people in the industry.
• The ability to build trustworthy relationships.
• Excellent research and writing skills for crafting arguments, and presenting cases.
• Solid subject knowledge.
• Proficiency with technical and legal terminologies.

Lateral Lawyer Educational Requirements:

• To become a Lateral Lawyer, one needs to have a degree and a Juris Doctor degree. Some states even necessitate the Lateral lawyers to pass the bar examination, and obtain a license.

Lateral Lawyer Cover Letter Example (Text Version)

Dear Mr./Ms.

I am writing this cover letter to express my interest in working for the XYZ Law Firm. My area of expertise is criminal and constitutional law, and I am aware that your organization provides the best legal aid and services in the States. I have considerable expertise in handling litigation and investigations from my tenure working at the court, and I would like to use this knowledge in this position as a lateral step.

I am a motivated and experienced professional with a Bachelor’s Degree in Law from the reputable ABC Law School. I have been able to improve on the abilities I gained as a Lateral Lawyer and have worked as the principal associate on many civil issues, including witness interviews and fact-finding. I also have a strong background in writing court documents, appellate briefs, legal memos, and pleadings.

Some of my accomplishments and qualifications include the following –

• I have been trained and gained practical knowledge with one of the top lawyers in the region in the law field.
• Excellent verbal and writing communication skills with the capacity to communicate information in an understandable yet convincing way.
• Exceptional debating skills and won 3 national-level Debate competitions.
• Able to manage several cases at once while being effective and meeting deadlines.
• Have prior experience working individually or in a team under pressure.

In addition to my professional experience and personal attributes, I have a strong educational background and so much passion for law and upholding justice. I was looking forward to a firm that has a keen interest in criminal law and XYZ Law Firm’s emphasis on criminal law, and I would appreciate the chance to help you maintain your position as the benchmark in the field.

To learn more about my experience and professional accomplishments, please contact me without any hesitation. I will follow up to schedule a meeting to talk about how my background and skills align with your needs. I appreciate your thoughts and time.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

A good Lateral Lawyer Cover Letter should include your educational qualifications, skills, work experience, and highlights of your career. Addressing the recruiting manager by his name will add a personal touch to the cover letter. In addition to the cover letter, you can create a good resume by using our Lateral Lawyer Resume Samples .

Customize Lateral Lawyer Cover Letter

Get hired faster with our free cover letter template designed to land you the perfect position.

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• Making a Lateral Move

published february 12, 2021

published January 07, 2013

• Your lateral cover letter should always explain why you are looking for a new position. Firms always want to know why an experienced attorney is on the job market, and if that information is excluded, a worst-case scenario may be assumed. No news is not necessarily good news.  
• Lateral cover letters should also be one page in length. While a lengthy explanation of your circumstances may be necessary, no one willingly reads long cover letters. Remember that the purpose of a cover letter is to highlight points in your resume and to bring to light things that may not be readily apparent on your resume, such as why you are on the job market.  
• You may also want to spend one paragraph briefly highlighting the more important aspects of your work experience. The experience on your resume probably doesn't go into great detail because it would be too long, so a succinct cover letter is a great opportunity to add a little more information about what you have done, hopefully whetting the appetite of your reader. But make sure you don't disclose confidential or privileged information on your resume or cover letter. If you're an international tax attorney who worked on a precedent-setting case before the tax court, you might spend a few sentences describing your experience, going into a level of detail not found on your resume.  
• Refrain from making negative comments in your cover letter about former employers. Never make negative comments, especially in writing, about a former employer. Even if your former law firm sold your firstborn child, find something nice to say about them, or say nothing at all. The line of thinking is that if you will make negative comments about one employer, then you'll say bad things about all of them. No one wants or needs to be bad-mouthed.
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Lawyer Cover Letter Example (w/ Templates & Tips for 2024)

You've come a long way to reach your legal goals.

From your early dreams to helping justice thrive to making a career in the world of law, your journey has been amazing. 

But as you’re preparing for your next big professional step, there's a challenge: writing a great lawyer cover letter.

We don’t blame you; showing off your legal skills can be tough. 

That’s why, in this article, we'll help you create a cover letter that highlights your skills and gets you closer to your dream legal job.

Here’s what’ll cover: 

• An Outstanding Lawyer Cover Letter Example
• 5 Essential Steps to Crafting a Top-tier Legal Cover Letter
• 3 Lawyer Cover Letter Tips

...and much more!

Lawyer Cover Letter Example

5 Steps for the Perfect Law Cover Letter

You've just had a glimpse of what a stellar cover letter looks like, and now you're well-equipped to craft your own . 

It's as simple as following a few straightforward steps to make it shine, starting with:

#1. Put Contact Information in the Header

Your cover letter should start with your contact information neatly placed in the header, just like on your resume. 

Here's what you should include:

• Full Name: Your complete name should be at the top of the page.
• Professional Title: Tailor your professional title to match the precise job you're seeking. Hiring managers juggle applications for several roles at the same time, so making the position you’re interested in clear can help make their lives easier.
• Email Address: Opt for a professional and straightforward email address, like a combination of your first and last name. Those quirky high school email addresses won't cut it. (e.g., [email protected] is good, but [email protected] isn't)
• Phone Number: Ensure the number you provide is accurate for easy contact. If you're applying for an international position, include the appropriate dial code.
• Location: Typically, your city and state or country suffice. However, if you're pursuing a remote position or considering relocation, make that clear in your lawyer cover letter.
• Relevant Links (Optional): You can include links to pertinent websites or social media profiles, such as your LinkedIn.

Next, it's time to include the hiring manager's details:

• Company Name: Specify the name of the company you're applying to.
• Hiring Manager's Name: If possible, identify the hiring manager for the department you're interested in. You can check the job listing, the company's website, or their LinkedIn page to find this information.
• Hiring Manager's Title: If you discover the name of the hiring manager for the specific job listing and realize they're the head of the department, use that instead of "Hiring Manager."
• Location: Mention the city, state, or country, particularly for globally operating companies. If you want to be more specific, you can add the company's exact street address.
• Email Address (Optional): If available, include the hiring manager's email address.
• Date of Writing (Optional): Consider adding the precise date when you composed your cover letter for a professional touch.

#2. Address the Hiring Manager

After jotting down all the necessary contact details, ensure you address your cover letter to its intended audience.

And, skip the old-fashioned "To Whom It May Concern" while you’re at it.

The way you address your cover letter can set a positive tone with the recruiter, especially if you give it some thought.

Start with a bit of digging around. Scour the job advertisement, law firm's website, or LinkedIn profile to pinpoint the person in charge of hiring for the position you're eyeing. A bit of effort can help you discover their name and email contact.

Next, greet them respectfully. Opt for Ms. or Mr., followed by their surname. If you're uncertain about their gender or marital status, simply use their complete name. For instance:

• Dear Mr. Thompson,
• Dear Jordan Thompson,

If you can’t find out their details, though, no worries! You can address your letter to the specific department or the law firm more broadly:

• Dear Legal Department,
• Dear Legal Hiring Committee,
• Dear HR Selection Team,
• Dear Lead Attorney,

#3. Write an Eye-Catching Opening Statement

Hiring managers often spend just seven seconds scanning an application to decide whether it’s worth their time and attention.

So, it's crucial to grab their attention fast with your lawyer cover letter.

Start your cover letter with your name and why you're interested in the legal job. Show your passion for law to make them want to know more about you.

Researching the law firm also helps. Knowing about their work and values lets you show what a great fit you’d be for the job. Not to mention, it proves you're really interested in this specific role, not just any role out there.

If you've got lots of legal experience, mention an important achievement , like a big case you've won, or special skills you have that are relevant to the position. But remember to keep your introduction short. Your aim is to get the hiring manager to read the rest of your cover letter.

Check out our other cover letter examples to write an attention-grabbing opening paragraph. 

#4. Use the Cover Letter Body for the Details

The main part of your legal cover letter lets you explain why you're the right fit for the job in more detail.

The trick here is to not merely repeat your lawyer resume. This is where you get to put your top legal skills and experiences into the spotlight. Your goal? To show the hiring manager you're the best choice among all the candidates. 

For starters, mention any big achievements in law and explain how you accomplished them or what skills it took you. Let the job ad guide you through for the best possible outcome. For example, if the role you’re gunning for is related to intellectual property law, focus on your knowledge of that instead of other law areas.

Additionally, show that you know about the firm's big cases or how they work. This proves you're really interested in working with them and that you fit their culture.

End by showing how passionate you are about the role. Say how you believe you can add value to their team with your legal skills and experience.

Also, make sure to avoid making any of these common cover letter mistakes to make sure your application is spotless. 

#5. Wrap It Up and Sign It

Ending your cover letter is like giving a strong closing in court.

Make sure your ending leaves the hiring manager convinced about your abilities and interested in calling you in for an interview. It should build trust in what you offer and remove any doubts that you may not be the right fit for the role.

Your cover letter’s ending is your time to summarize your top legal skills and why you're a great fit for their team. Alternatively, talk about your biggest achievements or the unique things you can bring to the table. 

After that, urge the hiring manager to take the next step by including a call to action. That could be a chat or an in-person meeting. This shows you're invested in the position and could help you get an interview.

Finally, when you sign off, stay professional. End with a simple sign-off and your full name. For example:

Should you wish for further clarification or insights regarding my legal qualifications, please reach out via the provided email or contact number. I eagerly anticipate the prospect of delving deeper into how I can contribute to your esteemed legal firm.

Yours sincerely,

If you feel "Yours sincerely" is rather commonplace, here are some alternative sign-offs tailored for the legal profession:

• In utmost respect,
• With appreciation,
• Thank you for your due consideration,

3 Essential Law Cover Letter Tips

You've mastered the cover letter fundamentals! Let's step it up and delve into some key cover letter tips specifically designed for lawyers to make your letter truly stand out:

#1. Match Your Resume

When applying for a legal position, consistency is your best friend.

Make sure your cover letter matches your resume visually as much as it matches it in content quality. This will help you come across as attentive to detail and well-organized.

Your name and contact details should sit tidily on the page. Also, keep your fonts and their sizes uniform throughout both documents. Remember to also adjust the margins and space between lines to keep your cover letter to a single page . 

Ready to make a great impression?

Or Use A Cover Letter Template Instead

Starting from scratch can be a drag. 

Take advantage of our cover letter templates for a swift fix. Together with our free resume templates , they can be the solution you’ve been looking for. 

Made hand-in-hand with global hiring pros, they hit all industry marks and just pop. Go on, match that resume with style!

#2. Emphasize Your Achievements

Highlighting your achievements isn't just about a humble brag; it's about showcasing the tangible results of your dedication and expertise. 

When hiring managers sift through stacks of cover letters, they're not just looking for claims. They want evidence. They want to see that spark of exceptional talent and commitment. Achievements offer a snapshot of what you've accomplished and hint at what you're capable of achieving in the future.

Now, here's the tricky part. While your resume might list your achievements in bullet points, your cover letter should weave them into a compelling narrative. Think of it as telling a story, where your achievements serve as key plot points and demonstrate your ability to handle challenges and achieve results.

For instance, instead of just stating you led a high-profile case, delve a bit into the complexities of the case and how your innovative approach made a difference. Link these accomplishments directly to the requirements of the job you're applying for. This not only reinforces your capabilities but also illustrates your deep understanding of the role.

#3. Add Any Relevant Links

Including relevant links in your cover letter is like opening a door for hiring managers to step right into your professional world. While your resume provides a structured outline of your career journey, links offer a more dynamic glimpse into your accomplishments, be it published articles, notable cases, or a well-curated LinkedIn profile.

Imagine the hiring manager's perspective. They’re intrigued by your cover letter and think you might be a good fit. Now, instead of Googling you or hunting down that specific case you mentioned, they have instant access via a link you provided. It's immediate, efficient, and showcases your proactive nature.

Links also offer a chance for you to steer the narrative. By guiding hiring managers to specific pages or platforms, you're highlighting the parts of your career you're most proud of. It might be a detailed portfolio, showcasing your prowess in legal briefs, or perhaps glowing recommendations on your LinkedIn profile.

Key Takeaways

And that’s all there is to crafting a stellar lawyer cover letter! Hopefully, you’re on track to secure that ideal legal position in no time.

But before you send off your cover letter, here are some main points from our article:

• Start your lawyer cover letter by detailing both your contact information and that of the hiring attorney or law firm's HR representative. Ensure your details are accurate so that they can reach out to you for a potential interview.
• The opening paragraph of your lawyer's cover letter should capture the interest of the hiring party, compelling them to continue reading.
• In the main section of your cover letter, emphasize your most notable achievements and skills that align with the legal role you're pursuing.
• It's effective to include a persuasive call to action towards the conclusion of your law firm cover letter, prompting the hiring party to consider calling you or arranging an interview.
• Maintain a consistent design between your cover letter and resume. If you're short on time, think about using one of our resume and cover letter templates for a cohesive appearance.

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5 Attorney Cover Letter Samples & Writing Guide in 2024

• Attorney Cover Letter
• Lateral Attorney
• Associate Attorney
• Senior Attorney
• Trademark Attorney
• Writing Your Best Attorney Cover Letter

As an attorney with unparalleled writing skills, legal acumen, and a knack for winning justice, your first challenge is to prove your worth. Although your history of victorious cases speaks volumes, securing a job hinges on the strength of your attorney resume and cover letter, highlighting your on-the-job skills and qualifications.

The task of crafting these documents might seem daunting, especially after long days filled with legal research and complex language. However, our resources, including a free cover letter builder , five attorney cover letter examples, and a comprehensive writing guide, are here to simplify the process.

With our assistance, you’ll easily write a cover letter that not only gets you noticed but also establishes a strong precedent for your career moves.

Attorney   Cover Letter Example

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Why this cover letter works

• Just as you would for your resume, include metrics in your attorney cover letter. If you drafted a new substantive motion, explain how your efforts created a positive impact for the client or company.
• As much as you can, include experience that matches the  attorney job description . 
• If you don’t have experience in the chosen field, share your transferable skills and your eagerness to transition to a new practice area.

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Relax! We’ll do the heavy lifiting to write your cover letter in seconds.

Lateral Attorney Cover Letter Example

• It’s like riding back in time through your career, starting from your latest, most senior roles and backward to the junior positions. You bet the recruiter will be hooked on an intriguing tale of your progression from rookie phases to the top leagues.

Associate Attorney Cover Letter Example

• Just like Jayden recalls his friend’s legal tussle, all thanks to remarkable representation, a powerful personal narrative instantly captures the attention and sets the right tone for the rest of the masterpiece.

Senior Attorney Cover Letter Example

• In your senior attorney cover letter, follow an outline (like the one we’ll provide in a bit) to ensure you’re including the necessary details.
• Specifically for your body paragraphs, shoot for three objectives: explaining your experience, a specific task or requirement you accomplished, and what resulted from it.   
• Derive a theme (or multiple) from the organization’s mission or job description to center your cover letter around; then, include details from your experience that relate to that theme.

Trademark Attorney Cover Letter Example

• It’s okay to get a little personal if you can connect it with the job description. Use your experiences and knowledge of the company to discuss a goal, ideal, or passion you both share. 
• Not every past position you’ve held will perfectly fit this new role, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t transferable skills you can include in your trademark attorney cover letter. 
• Scour the  attorney job ad  for general responsibilities instead of strict specifics. Look for keywords like “collaboration,” “develop,” “identify,” and “research;” then incorporate positions where you used those  job skills . 

Need a Matching Resume for Your Attorney Cover Letter?

You can start editing this template immediately, you can choose a template that matches the first two attorney cover letter samples, or you can choose a completely different  resume template . They’re all free, and they’re all there to make your life a little easier as you work on securing your next attorney position.

Attorney Resume

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Beat the Competition with Your Best Attorney Cover Letter

As an attorney, you know how you can best help your client, but do you know how to advocate for yourself? Your cover letter must present a favorable argument for your qualifications, exhibit knowledge of the company, and relate your skills to the job description’s requirements—all with a professional yet ardent tone.

It’s a lot, but if anyone can effectively present their accomplishments to a tough crowd, it’s you. Write a hard-hitting attorney cover letter with these simple tips.

Tip 1: Due diligence is a must

There’s  no point in submitting a generic cover letter . If your cover letter looks like it’s been submitted to multiple organizations, employers will assume you’re not all that interested in the job. 

Moreover, if your cover letter doesn’t speak to their job description, they’ll assume you aren’t a good fit. Instead, hit the books (figuratively) and research the company. Then address their specific needs based on what you find online and in their job description.

If you reveal a strong link between your qualifications and their requirements, employers will be hard-pressed not to consider you.

Tip 2: Detail a couple of major accomplishments

No one likes a broken record, so your attorney cover letter can’t simply repeat your resume. A cover letter’s purpose is to relate your experiences and skills to the company in a way your resume can’t. 

A cover letter also gives you the space to examine specific accomplishments in detail. You may argue that you’ve covered everything in your resume, but we know that’s not the case. Go beyond the basics to explore the motivations behind your achievements and how they reveal your value on the job. Are you exceptionally thorough? Find a task that highlights your attention to detail. Are you a whiz at research? Integrate that detail into a metric about your cases.

Here’s one example that gives you a glimpse into the candidate’s methods and motivations.

As a senior associate with Pincus & Associates, PC, I mentored summer and junior associates throughout their onboarding process. After the initial training period, I realized many mentees were struggling with repeat issues, such as voir dire and preparing witnesses. To combat this, I created video lectures and PowerPoint slides to explain procedures and laws surrounding the issues and gave examples, both good and bad. After two months of video training, the new hires completed double the number of tasks, and their client satisfaction scores rose by 18 percent.

These examples show the candidate’s passion for the job and their relevant experience. Moreover, the candidate demonstrates the value they’ll bring to their next role. 

Tip 3: Nail down a winning tone & persuasive message

You’ve successfully incorporated your research, accomplishments, and personal style into your cover letter, but a cover letter is more than that. Here comes the tricky part: adjusting your message and tone.

The correct message and tone can mean the difference between getting dismissed or getting noticed. Remember, although we’ve compared a cover letter to a trial, your letter shouldn’t sound like a cross-examination. It also shouldn’t come across as flattering, casual, or confusing.

Think of your cover letter as the pre-interview. It’s a way to get your foot in the door and encourage further communication. Nailing the right message and tone isn’t easy, but there is good news: unlike a trial, you can start over. 

Revision plays a huge part in writing cover letters. No one has a perfect first draft, and oftentimes, even the second or third drafts aren’t ideal (ask us how many times we’ve revised our cover letter examples). Luckily, you can keep revising and editing until you have an error-free draft that accurately sums up your experience and fervor for the job. 

If you think your judgment isn’t perfectly sound, you can appeal to a coworker and ask them to suggest edits. Their new perspective is more likely to catch content errors and grammatical faux-pas. 

Think of your cover letter as the pre-interview. It’s a way to get your foot in the door and encourage further communication.

All that’s left is one last round of revision before you save it and send in your application to the attorney job you’ve been eyeing.

How to Format an Attorney Cover Letter

Building arguments are your strong suit, which will help you immensely when writing your cover letter. But even the most experienced of writers can find themselves paralyzed by the blank page. Use our outline to build a case employers can’t refuse.

Attorney cover letter header and greeting

Your contact info:  Don’t leave your future employer wondering how to contact you. Include your email, number, and address (city and state) at the top of your cover letter. Many employers also like to see your LinkedIn profile.

• Formatting:  Don’t include your name in the address, whether in a template or block format. In block format, you’ll only need to include your name in the signature. In a template, your name goes on the letterhead, too.

Date:  Adding a date to your cover letter is a professional touch, and it can help both you and the employer keep track of your documents. Just change the date to reflect the actual day you submit your application.

• Formatting:  Write out the full date, e.g. January 3, 2023.

Inside address:  Although a virtual cover letter doesn’t need to be sent by post, you should still include the employer’s address, also known as the inside address. Include the hiring manager’s name, their official title, and the company’s physical location.

Some companies are a bit tricky to track down, especially if they have multiple locations. Scouring Facebook, LinkedIn, and the company’s website usually yields favorable results. Also, check the job description—sometimes they specify where or to whom your documents should be sent. If there are multiple locations, use the address of the location in which you’ll work. 

Heather Adams, Firm Administrator Reed McClure 1215 Fourth Avenue, Suite 1700 Seattle, WA 98161

• Formatting : Each part of the address should be on a new line. Double-space between the inside address and greeting. 

Greeting:  Every word of your cover letter matters, including your greeting (also called the salutation). A poor greeting indicates a lack of etiquette (dangerous in the highly competitive legal field). The good news? A good greeting is pretty easy to get right. Use “dear” and the name of the hiring manager.

Dear Ms. Adams:

• Formatting:  Plenty of letters use a comma in the greeting, but colons are more professional, especially for an attorney.

Attorney cover letter introduction

Introduction:  Applying to job after job might get monotonous, but your opener has to sound genuinely excited. Don’t underestimate the power of sincere enthusiasm for the organization and knowledge of its operations. It can also help to include personal details to empathize with the employer. Although, we would urge you not to include intimate details like this:

Your law firm values hard work and dedication, which sums up my career. Ever since I was a child, I wanted to become a lawyer. I even acted out cases with my stuffed animals! As I grew older, I made sure I received top marks in every class so I could attend Harvard, the law school of my dreams. My commitment was so intense that I never had a relationship that lasted more than 3 months, but it was so worth it.

Although this opener definitely keeps the hiring manager reading, it’s probably because they find your cover letter funny (also known as you don’t stand a chance) instead of compelling. It’s far too personal and has no real relevance to the job. Instead, include details that relate to the company and what you can offer:

The Conservation Law Center’s mission to provide legal assistance to conservation organizations exemplifies my goals as a senior attorney. Throughout my career, I have offered at least 60 hours a year of pro bono work surrounding environmental law. The senior staff attorney position at your law center is a way to combine my passion for conservation, my love of mentorship, and my years of experience to provide assistance where needed most.

Here, Valente explains his background in environmental law and why he wants to work for the company. He leaves no doubt that he wants to work for them specifically, which will make any hiring manager take notice.

Attorney cover letter body

Body paragraphs:  Each paragraph should substantiate your claims in the opening paragraph. Your space is limited, so focus on the highlights. Ideally, keep each paragraph focused on one accomplishment like this: 

Later, as a trademark attorney for Classics United Entertainment, I had the opportunity to work with a cross-functional team of designers, actors, producers, directors, and artists to create trademarks for all six departments within the Spears & Things division. For each trademark, I conducted a rigorous trademark clearance search to ensure trademark law compliance and eligibility. Once completing the trademark clearance process, my team and I successfully gave our efforts to developing clearance search procedures for future legal staff, creating a cohesive system across the three CUE divisions.

Although this paragraph isn’t focused on one task, it is focused on one process, and one aspect of that process in particular. Stella explains the overall trademark clearance process but keeps the focus on teamwork with phrases like “work[ing] with a cross-functional team” and “[giving] our efforts.” She effectively shows her legal abilities  and her team-building strategy, both of which bode well for future employers.

Attorney cover letter closing

Closing paragraph:  Good endings are hard to achieve because they have to leave the recruiters both curious yet satisfied. Scale back and reiterate the big-picture view of your values and qualifications and how they align with what the company/organization needs. End with a call to action that encourages the employer to reach out. Just don’t fall into arrogance like this:

This job requires someone who has years of experience and who values justice. In that case, I am your perfect candidate. In my 10 years of work, I have never lost a case, and I love to argue until everyone knows I’m right. I know I can win the most cases for your company; reach out to me if you want to hire a winner.

Not only is this arrogant, but it’s also unprofessional. Instead, write something that humbly indicates your enthusiasm:

My goal has always been to provide clients with trustworthy, honest service that makes clients feel safe and valued. Reed McClure shares my vision of providing litigation services to improve the lives of both clients and the community. At your convenience, I welcome the chance to further demonstrate how our goals are aligned and how I can personally contribute to Seattle’s civil case resolution.

This close reminds the employer of the candidate’s persona, values, and aligned goals. It’s also clear that a follow-up is desired and anticipated.

• Formatting : Single-space your paragraphs, but double-space in between paragraphs. 

Signature:  Mind your manners and say “thank you” if you haven’t already said it in the closing paragraph. Then, sign off with a professional closer along with your name.

Respectfully,

Valente Ferreira

• Formatting : If you’re presenting any hard copies of your attorney cover letter, quadruple space to sign your name in blue/black ink. 

Enclosure(s):  This is an important piece to include although many cover letters miss it. This section delineates any other documents you’re attaching, which shows employers you’ve done your research regarding their requests and requirements. In addition to your resume, you may need to include documents like your law school transcript, a writing sample, and/or the job application.

Enclosures: Resume J.D. transcript Writing sample USPTO Law School Clinic Certificate

• Formatting : Use the singular or plural form of “enclosure” depending on what you’re enclosing. 

Your Dream Attorney Role Awaits…Almost

Your cover letter is finished! Case closed, right? Objection—you still have to perfect your  attorney resume . Both resume and cover letter work in tandem to affirm and defend your qualifications, so both must be polished and complete.

But don’t stress—we have you covered. We offer free  modern resume templates  for you to use, or you can try one of our  Word resume templates  (there’s one created especially for a lawyer). You can craft a winning resume in no time; in fact, if you like this attorney resume example, you can begin editing it now. 

Senior Attorney Resume

Need a resume to pair with your AP English teacher cover letter?

Whether you’re  outlining your resume  or checking it over a final time, our  smart resume tool  will help you identify gaps and errors. We’re here for you every step of the way, so you can keep doing what you do best—fighting for justice.

You know the significance of formalities in the legal profession, so optimizing the greeting is an important step. Carefully review the attorney job description to see if a hiring manager or decision-making partner is listed as a contact person. Additionally, check the law firm’s website or LinkedIn profiles to see if you can find the name of a specific person in charge of hiring. If you still can’t find anything, you can simply lead off with “Dear [Name of Law Firm] hiring staff” or a similar greeting.

Legal cover letters should be more formal than other careers. Think about all the formal correspondence you must write up for contracts and legal proceedings. However, you should still review the job description’s tone to determine the level of formality. Some firms do value a more friendly and casual atmosphere, so adjusting your tone in those instances is a good idea.

Consider the stylistic choices you’d make when writing up a case brief for a client. Everything should be concise, well-spaced, in an easy-to-read 11-12 point font, and ideally addressed to a specific person. It helps present a professional feel and allows hiring managers to easily identify your top skills in aspects like settlements and tort laws.

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Lateral Attorney Cover Letter Example

ResumesBot » Legal Cover Letter Examples » Lateral Attorney Cover Letter Example

LATERAL ATTORNEY COVER LETTER TEMPLATE (TEXT FORMAT)

Michael Johnson

Mobile: +1 619-633-4658

[email protected]

2095 Pike Street, San Diego, CA 92121

September 2, 2019

Mr. Henry Wilcox

Human Research Director

Smith’s and Partners Law Firm

3991 Holden Street

San Diego, CA 92103

Dear Mr. Wilcox,

I have pleasure in applying for the advertised position of Lateral Attorney. I’m an experienced attorney with a demonstrated history in criminal, family, juvenile and appellate law. Skilled in trial practice, pleadings, legal research and writing, appeals, traffic and divorce/ custody. A longtime attorney with a Juris Doctorate from the Thomas Goode Jones School of Law.

During my work as an associate for The Gill Group firm, I obtained extensive experience conducting, overseeing and planning all phases of employment litigation on behalf of plaintiffs. I drafted complaints and other pleadings, took numerous depositions, propounded and responded to discovery requests. 

Shortly thereafter I was an attorney in private practice handling litigation and transactional work. I handled plaintiff personal injury and small business defense litigation. Additionally, I handle employment discrimination issues, wills, successions, trusts and small business matters.

I worked as a Senior Trial Attorney for Allstate Insurance Company in the next 5 years. I handled insurance defense litigation and Encompass Insurance, as well as their insureds, under homeowner’s, automobile liability and commercial liability policies. I was solely responsible for each case, performing all aspects of litigation, including all discovery and other pre-trial preparations, mediations, trials and post-trial matters. I tried 20 to 30 cases each year, and over 200 trials total. I also handled jury trials alone or as the lead attorney. I also handled some appeals.

Currently, I operate my own Plaintiff-side employment litigation practice wherein I represent clients in all types of employment law matters including but not limited to discrimination, harassment, fraud, breach of contract, retaliation, defamation, whistleblower, unpaid wages, failure to accommodate a disability, wrongful termination and misappropriation of intellectual property claims. I have successfully represented clients in San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Imperial, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Francisco, Santa Clara, San Mateo and Alameda Counties. I have on my own achieved success in trials, hearings and arbitrations against large defense firms in both Northern and Southern California. I have particular expertise in bringing wage & hour and other claims against car dealerships and handling sexual harassment and failure to accommodate disability cases. Recently I obtained a Judgment of over $127,000 against a San Diego car dealership based on various wage and hour violations including a claim under the California Labor Code Private Attorney General Act.

I ask you to consider my application and would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you to discuss how my qualifications will be an asset to your organization. I am very keen to join your team and am available for interview at your convenience.

Margaret Dou

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Cover Letter Advice & Samples

Cover letter advice and samples.

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• Draft your cover letter knowing it is your first writing sample.
• Understand that a cover letter should persuade the reader.
• Use the cover letter to “connect the dots” of your experiences.
• Resist the temptation to restate your resume.
• Keep your cover letter to one page.
• Use the font style and point size that match your resume.
• Remember that the reader is busy: less is more.
• Ensure your cover letter is error free.

Cover Letter Construction

Address block and salutation.

• Address the cover letter to an actual person.
• Research websites or call employer to determine recipient’s name.
• If you cannot find the name of a hiring contact, address your letter to the head of the unit, department, or office.
• While this is the least-preferred option, you may address your letter to “Dear Hiring Committee” if you cannot locate the name of an actual person.
• For firms, address your letter to the recruiting director. For larger firms, contact information for recruiting directors is available at www.nalpdirectory.com in the Basic Information section.
• In the salutation, include the recipient’s title and last name (e.g., “Dear Ms. Raintree”) or write the recipient’s entire name (e.g., “Dear Jamie Morales”).

Paragraph One

• Tell the employer who you are and what you are seeking.
• Highlight (past, present, and future) geographic connections.
• Indicate if you have talked to students/faculty/friends/alumni who speak highly of the organization.

Paragraph Two

• Show that you understand the employer’s mission/practice, the work its attorneys do, and the clients it serves.
• Demonstrate your proven interest in and connection to that mission/practice, work, and clients.

Paragraph Three

• Describe skills you will contribute to support that mission/practice, work, and clients.
• Provide evidence from your experiences and coursework.

Paragraph Four

• List the documents included with the letter.
• Tell the employer how to get in touch with you by email, telephone, and mail.
• Convey your availability for a conversation, mentioning upcoming trips to the area.
• Thank the employer for considering you.
• Mention availability of Yale summer funding, if applicable.
• Optional: Promise that you will follow up in a few weeks if you think the employer would appreciate the diligence.

Sample Cover Letters (PDF)

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Resume 101 for Lateral Attorneys

What’s the first thing you do when you’re ready for the job hunt? Furiously search your hard drive for the last version of your resume.

Ideally, you would update your resume periodically, but it’s generally not something you think about when things at work are going well. So, when you are ready to dust it off and polish it until it shines, check out our tips for making your resume something that works for you and not against you.

Margins and font

No, you can’t sneak in more information by reducing your margins to 0.5” and choosing a 9-pt font. When a recruiter or hiring partner picks up a resume that looks like a novel crammed onto a single page they’re not thinking, “Wow, how did they get that into one page!” or perhaps “Wow, look at everything this person has done!” They’re squinting their eyes and they may just move along to the next candidate.

Stick with standard 1” margins all around and at least 11-pt font. You also want to use a font that’s easy to read. Some suggestions: Times New Roman and Arial.

Odds are that if you have a margin or font problem it stems from your desire to include everything you’ve ever worked on at every firm and company at which you’ve worked. While experienced lateral attorneys (four or more years of experience) can have two-page resumes, keep in mind you’re still only getting 4-17 seconds from the person reviewing it.

Your email address

Typically, you won’t want to use your current law firm email address on your resume and will instead opt for a personal account. However, that personal account still needs to look professional. It shouldn’t be something even vaguely resembling this: [email protected].

If you’re going to use a personal email account, use or create one that is some version of your name, such as [email protected]. You are still presenting yourself as a professional , even if you’re using a personal email address.

Do not insert your headshot or any graphic elements into your resume. There’s a good reason not to add a picture of yourself: it makes firms nervous. Hiring decisions can’t be made based on factors such as age, race and gender, and providing a photo opens up the employer to discrimination claims. So, they’d prefer not to know any of the above.

As for other graphical elements, they take up valuable real estate on your resume. You’re not applying to be a graphic designer, so use that space to show them why you’re the right person for the job by highlighting your academic and career accomplishments instead.

Use bullet points

As you type those career accomplishments, it is often effective to use bullet points. There are still resumes out there that use a paragraph-style to present accomplishments for each job, but remember what we said about the amount of time you get from a recruiter or hiring partner: 4 to 17 seconds. It’s much easier to skim a resume with bullet points, so make it easy on them. It also makes it far more likely that your accomplishments will jump out at them instead of being buried in a lengthy paragraph.

Chronological order of experience

Start with your most recent job and work your way back. Your future employer is going to be the most interested in what you’ve done recently.

By the time you’re an experienced attorney, you should have enough experience that most of your pre-law jobs are irrelevant. Don’t include jobs that date back to high school just to show how long you’ve been part of the workforce. Instead, trim any jobs prior to law school that aren’t relevant. If you’re a chemical patent attorney and you worked as a chemical engineer before attending law school, by all means include that experience. What they don’t need to know is that you were a receptionist at a landscaping company or a hostess at a restaurant.

Integrate key words

You’ll want to create one base resume and then tweak it to fit each job. Yes, it sounds like a lot of work. However, it’s worth it. Look at the job description, or speak with whomever is referring you to the position, and identify important key words. Let’s say your previous experience crosses a broad section of real estate and land use work. However, the job description specifically asks for someone with experience representing HOAs. You’ll want to go more in-depth on your HOA experience for this resume, including key words that are specific to HOA work.

Be truthful

In the example above, don’t exaggerate your HOA experience because you know that’s what they’re looking for. Highlight the experience you do have and then highlight other relevant experience and accomplishments and use your cover letter to draw the connection and show how those skills translate over to HOA work.

Bottom line – Always be completely truthful. The legal world is small. It won’t take long for you to be found out if you’ve fibbed on your resume, and that reputation will follow you around for a long time to come.

Proofread and spellcheck

Don’t simply rely on Microsoft Word to tell you when you’ve made a mistake; it won’t catch that “for” that should have been “form.” Instead, ask a few colleagues, friends or family members to give it a once-over. It can be difficult to catch your own mistakes, so be sure your eyes aren’t the only ones that have seen it.

Update your resume regularly

As we said, in an ideal world you would update your resume regularly. Each time you have a major accomplishment, add it to your resume. These things can be difficult to remember when you’re trying to update your resume months, or even years, later. You also don’t want to miss any opportunities because it takes you days or weeks to get your resume ready for a position – someone else might just swoop in and grab it.

Another trick: keep your LinkedIn profile updated along with your resume. Recruiters and hiring partners might be on there looking for someone just like you.

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Lateral Attorney Cover Letter Example: 4 Templates

It is a short synopsis of what you have added to your CV. You can include your talents, skills, and qualifications which will support you in getting the position of a lateral attorney. Make this letter in such a way that it will increase your chances of getting the position of lateral attorney. Here are a few templates for the same; you can have a look at them.

Letter Template: 1

Table of Contents

Lateral Attorney Cover Letter

James Brown

238 Broadway

United States

The HR Manager

XYZ Company

354 F 63rd Street

Sub- Lateral attorney cover letter.

Respected Sir/Madam

I am writing this letter to let you know that I am interested in the post of lateral attorney. The description box is read by me in an appropriate manner and I believe that each and every duty will be done by me in a proper manner. 

I have a bachelor’s degree in [mention the name of the course], which I received from [mention the name of the institution] in the year of [mention the year]. After receiving the certificate, I went to [mention the name of the institution], where I did my training and got to learn many things about this field. To gain work experience I joined [mention the name of the company], where I used to work as a lateral attorney. 

From there, I learned all the work of a lateral attorney, which includes advising clients regarding ongoing litigation or to explain legal issues, researching the details and evidence involved in cases such as police investigations, accident reports and many more. All this work will be done by me in a proper manner. I have qualities like [mention your qualities which you have and are best for this job]. I will do this job in a responsible manner.

My resume and other necessary documents, such as [mention the name of the document], are attached to this letter. Hope to receive a positive response from your side very soon. Thank you so much for taking time from your busy schedule.

[Handwritten signature]

[Mention the contact details]

[Mention here, if there is any post note to be given]

Download Template : ( pdf, docs, ODT, RTF, txt, HTML, Epub, Etc )

Letter Template: 2

With great pleasure, I am writing this letter to you to show my interest in the post of lateral attorney. The expectations which you have from a candidate can be fulfilled by me in an appropriate manner. Each and every duty will be done by me.

My education was completed from [mention the name of the institution] in the year of [mention the year]. After completing my education, I received my certificate there. From [mention the name of the institution], I did my training and got my certificate for the same. For more than [mention the year], I have been working in this field, this is the reason behind knowing all the work of a lateral attorney. 

As a lateral attorney, the duties that can be done by me are interpreting case law and decisions handed down by other applicable courts, developing case strategies such as trying to resolve cases early and cost-efficiently for his client rather than going to trial, and many more. The skills in me help me to do well in this job. My skills include [mention the skills which you have and are best for this job].

My resume and other necessary documents are attached to this letter. I hope you will contact me soon regarding the acceptance of me as a lateral attorney. Thank you so much for your consideration.

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How To Write An Effective Cover Letter

Here are 10 tips that will help you to put your best foot forward.

When you work with a recruiter, there is generally no need to write your own cover letter; the cover letter comes from us. But that doesn’t mean you should skip the exercise of writing a cover letter altogether. It’s crucial that you work with your recruiter to convey any information that may be helpful in marketing yourself to the prospective employer.

I shy away from giving candidates a detailed cover letter template. You do not want your letter to sound too formulaic. It should be authentic and, if signed by you, in your voice. Even using the same cover letter to apply for multiple positions can get risky. It’s easy to spot the non-tailored cover letter.

Here are 10 tips that will help you to put your best foot forward:

• Read the job description . Read it line by line. I cannot stress enough the importance of tailoring your cover letter to the specific job.
• Do not simply repeat what is on your resume . You may want to highlight just the most important points from your resume, but you primarily want to include relevant information  not  in your resume.
• Think of your cover letter as a first-round interview . What questions might you anticipate? You will want to address: a. Why are you looking to make a move, and why specifically do you want to work  here , with  us? b. If applicable, why do you want to move to the new city? What personal or professional ties do you have to the new location? c. If applicable, why do you want to move from a firm to an in-house role?
• Above all, your cover letter must answer the question,  “How are you going to add value to our firm/company?”  In your cover letter and in your interviews, remember that it’s not about you. It’s about what  you  can do for  them . A prospective employer will be turned off by candidates who only talk about how this move will advance their own careers.
• Remember the old adage  “Show, don’t tell.”  Give concrete examples of your relevant soft skills: a. What precise skills or experiences do you have that qualify you for this job? b. What do you bring to the table that makes you unique? c. Why should we hire you instead of your competition?
• Give your cover letter a basic structure , for example, an opening sentence/paragraph, your “arguments,” and a conclusion. Your cover letter will offer substantive information, but it will also be judged as a representation of your writing and communication skills.
• Be concise .
• Try to find the appropriate recipient’s name . I am always turned off by the “To Whom it May Concern” letters.
• If you are applying for a lateral law firm position and  your class year  for promotion purposes is different from your JD year, be sure to highlight this.
• Proofread . Absolutely no typos!

Your cover letter, whether it comes from you or from your recruiter, should not be a recap of your resume. It should add color and personality to your application, offer the reader a chance to see you as a real human being, and answer the question, “Why should we hire  you ?” Think of it as a practice screening interview.

Will a good cover letter really move the needle? Realistically, it may only make a difference to a small percentage of applications. But why not give every job application your best shot?

Home » How To Write An Effective Cover Letter

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